Euroleague Basketball Predictions
The action in the Euroleague continues. We have now completed the first third of the regular season and we can predict with more confidence on european basketball matches today. So, let’s dive straight into our Euroleague picks for today’s games:
Our EuroLeague basketball tips appear under each mini game preview.
Zalgiris – Anadolu Efes
The first match of Friday is between Zalgiris and Anadolu Efes in Lithuania. Both clubs have identical 6-5 records going into the game and are in good shape. Prior to Friday’s home loss to Panathinaikos, when Zalgiris struggled with their shooting, the team had won three straight games. It will try to improve against the champions after scoring a season-low 67 points against that opponent. Four straight victories for Efes include victories over Barcelona and Olympiacos, two Final Four teams from the previous year.
Evans (16.1 ppg, 4.1 apg) and Brazdeikis (10.7 ppg), two combo guards who have helped Zalgiris to a 4-1 record at home this year, have been the team’s top scorers, but the latter has yet to perfect his three-point shooting (5 for 29, 17.2%). When he does, the Zalgiris attack will become much more deadly and more room will be available for individuals like Ulanovas, Hayes, and Smits inside.
Tip: 2 (-2.5) at 1.90
Olympiacos – Virtus Bologna
Olympiacos (7-4) hosts Virtus Bologna in their first meeting in nearly 15 years, and it comes after both teams lost on the road last week despite having double-digit leads. Anadolu Efes Istanbul, the two-time defending champion, defeated the Reds 82-71. That was their second loss in the three previous matches. While Virtus lost last week to Crvena Zvezda, they enter this match on a three-game losing streak.
Vezenkov, who leads the league in performance index rating (26.6) and rebounding (8.2) while ranking second in scoring, has contributed to Olympiacos’s strong start to the current campaign (19.9). However, the entire squad has been moving the ball well thus far this season, averaging 21.3 assists per game, second in the EuroLeague. Olympiacos’ inside game, where the team boasts a league-best 58.6% two-point accuracy, has benefited the most from this strategy.
Virtus, on the other hand, has one of the top scoring defences in the EuroLeague. It restricts opponents to 77.0 points per game, fourth-fewest in the league, and allows a league-low 33.0% from long range. The majority of Virtus’ issues have been with its offence, as it ranks 14th in scoring (75.0), makes the fourth-most turnovers (14.6), and grabs the second-fewest offensive rebounds (8.6).
Tip: Over 158.5 at 1.90
Baskonia – Bayern
When Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (6-5) welcomes Bayern Munich to Buesa Arena, two teams seeking their second straight victory will square off (4-7). This season, Baskonia is 5-1 at home and has won its past three contests by a significant margin. Bayern had already defeated ALBA Berlin and ASVEL Villeurbanne on the road. Bayern has a 3-1 home record versus Baskonia, however Bayern won the previous campaign.
Baskonia plays with strong physicality and rhythm, making it difficult to be beaten at home. Baskonia tops the EuroLeague in PIR (108.8), scoring (95.7 ppg), and assists-per-turnover ratio when playing at home (2.11). Baskonia shoots the ball well at Buesa Arena (58.9% 2FG, 43.8% 3FG), thus maintaining such levels should be its top priority. In terms of defence, Baskonia depends on its top on-the-ball defenders, Henry and Thompson, to stop Winston in this game.
Tip: Winning Margin 3-way – Any Other Result at 2.90
Barcelona – Asvel Villeurbanne
When Barcelona plays ASVEL Villeurbanne, it will try to keep its three-game winning streak going. With victories in six of its past seven games, Barcelona (8-3) appears to be in its groove. The team of coach Jasikevicius has won all five of its home games. ASVEL (3-8) is 2-4 on the road this year and has lost its previous five games.
Nikola Mirotic, the current EuroLeague MVP, made his season debut last week and scored 19 points in 22 minutes. Barcelona is one of the most dangerous teams in the league with Mirotic and Laprovittola (14.7 ppg, 4.6 apg) leading the way, as well as six additional players averaging between 7 and 10 points per game.
Tip: Barcelona 1st Half points Over 50 at 4.40
(All prices correct at 08/12/2022, 21:00 CET, subject to change)
News Source: Euroleague.net
Basketball tips today (More basketball tips)
Euroleague Standings
Disclaimer: This is not investment or gambling advice. Always conduct your own independent research.
